NewYork,Sep21: Coming out of the busy Grand Central terminal Wednesday morning, Steve White, a young corporate executive, chanced upon a number of colorful banners on the streetlights while walking down to his office on Lexington Street. Though the pictures were different, but the written text was the same - Incredible India. ''Incredible India!'' he thought and asked to himself: ''What is this?'' The same question he asked to one of his Indian-American colleague at his work place. ''I know, India is now an emerging economic power. But what is incredible India?'' Steve asked. ''I am planning to go to attend one of these events to know more about India,'' he told reporter Wednesday evening on his way back home. ''There are a series of events,'' he said as he checked the website listed on the colorful ads outside the Grand Central terminal.In his early 30s, Steve might or might not go to any of the events being planned by the 
Indian government beginning September 23, but the thought process he underwent Wednesday surely was reflected that the multi-million publicity blitz launched in Manhattan this past week has generated at least some curiosity among Americans about India and Indians. In the past few days, banners and hoardings of Incredible India campaign has come all across New York City at all important tourists destinations.The same have also been put in and around the United Nations, which is going to be the hub of the international community and the media for the next couple of weeks because of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly that formally started September 18. The general debate involving heads of states would start next week.A public-private joint venture of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and CII, the four-day India@60 beginning September 23 would showcase the best of India among the New Yorkers and the large international community at the UN, which the organizers claim would not only lure them to visit India at least once, but also generate awareness about the changing face of India - an India that is incredible. ''Our objective is two present the best of India,'' Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, told in New York, when he was here as part of making preparation for the mega event - the first of its kind in several years by India in the Big Apple. ''We are bringing the best of everything from India to New York, be it folk, classical, musicians, food or the Bollywood,'' he said. While the events are spread out all over New York, Bryant Park, Pier Sixty, Lincoln Center, and South Street Seaport would be hosting most of the events. ''This time the people in New York would be able to witness for themselves the finest Indian classical artists and the finest Indian folk artists,'' Kant said. More than 150 artists are coming from India for the series of cultural shows - folk dance and music, classical dance and music and contemporary dances from India films. The Tourism Ministry in association with the hotel industry is flying some 20 best Indian chefs for the food festival at South Street Seaport. ''It is experiential in character,'' he said. One of the major attractions of the event, organizers expect, is going to be the sand sculpture of Taj Mahal - recently declared as one of the seven wonders of the world - at Port Authority, another place in the city that attracts thousands of people daily. A min-Prabasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is also being organized as part of the India@60 wherein various issues about Indian Diaspora and its contribution in India's development would be discussed at a day-long event on September 23. The National Geographic Channel is hosting a photographic exhibition ''Incredible India by Steve McCurry.'' Nearly half-a-dozen Indian ministers are expected to attend the event including the Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Besides cultural events, a number of panel discussions on various issues related to business, economics, and academics too have been scheduled all the four days.
Indian government beginning September 23, but the thought process he underwent Wednesday surely was reflected that the multi-million publicity blitz launched in Manhattan this past week has generated at least some curiosity among Americans about India and Indians. In the past few days, banners and hoardings of Incredible India campaign has come all across New York City at all important tourists destinations.The same have also been put in and around the United Nations, which is going to be the hub of the international community and the media for the next couple of weeks because of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly that formally started September 18. The general debate involving heads of states would start next week.A public-private joint venture of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and CII, the four-day India@60 beginning September 23 would showcase the best of India among the New Yorkers and the large international community at the UN, which the organizers claim would not only lure them to visit India at least once, but also generate awareness about the changing face of India - an India that is incredible. ''Our objective is two present the best of India,'' Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, told in New York, when he was here as part of making preparation for the mega event - the first of its kind in several years by India in the Big Apple. ''We are bringing the best of everything from India to New York, be it folk, classical, musicians, food or the Bollywood,'' he said. While the events are spread out all over New York, Bryant Park, Pier Sixty, Lincoln Center, and South Street Seaport would be hosting most of the events. ''This time the people in New York would be able to witness for themselves the finest Indian classical artists and the finest Indian folk artists,'' Kant said. More than 150 artists are coming from India for the series of cultural shows - folk dance and music, classical dance and music and contemporary dances from India films. The Tourism Ministry in association with the hotel industry is flying some 20 best Indian chefs for the food festival at South Street Seaport. ''It is experiential in character,'' he said. One of the major attractions of the event, organizers expect, is going to be the sand sculpture of Taj Mahal - recently declared as one of the seven wonders of the world - at Port Authority, another place in the city that attracts thousands of people daily. A min-Prabasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is also being organized as part of the India@60 wherein various issues about Indian Diaspora and its contribution in India's development would be discussed at a day-long event on September 23. The National Geographic Channel is hosting a photographic exhibition ''Incredible India by Steve McCurry.'' Nearly half-a-dozen Indian ministers are expected to attend the event including the Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Besides cultural events, a number of panel discussions on various issues related to business, economics, and academics too have been scheduled all the four days. 